So, when The Oklahoman went to communicate this fact — and it is a fact — they pretty much jumped off a cliff and made Durant's struggles out to be more than they were. Needless to say, the paper's indication that Durant was "Mr. Unreliable" did not go over well.

Durant did not shy away from the label, pointing out that he had not properly played his role as closer.

"That's what they're supposed to write," Durant told reporters. "I didn't come through for the team."

Forever fiery, Russell Westbrook took a different approach. "That's BS in my eyes," he said.

Sure, Durant has had trouble, but he's also the focus of one of the NBA's best defensive teams and a top perimeter defender in Tony Allen. Even while under this scrutiny, Durant has averaged 28.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.8 blocks.

Problems arise with the shooting percentages, which are unreasonably low for Durant.

During the regular season, Durant averaged 32.0 points and shot 50.3 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three while putting together one of the all-time great scoring performances. He's sure to be named MVP because of those efforts.

In these playoffs, Durant's percentages have taken a drastic dip to 40.0 from the field and 28.6 from the 3-point line. Also of note is that he hasn't quite been himself in clutch moments, with Westbrook and other teammates assuming more responsibilities late in games.

The numbers bear out a substantial difference in Durant's play, but not quite enough to be labeled unreliable. That's a point his family, including his mother, Wanda Pratt, agree with.

The Oklahoman did issue a statement through sports editor Mike Sherman, who wrote that the headline did convey the intended message.

"The words were overstated and unduly harsh," Sherman wrote. "The headline and presentation left the impression that we were commenting on Durant’s season, career or even character. We were not. We were referring only to the Memphis series."